From Wikipedia...
Tea
In Britain and Ireland, "tea" is not only the name of the beverage, but of a late afternoon light meal, called that even if the diners are drinking beer, cider, or juice. Frequently (outside the UK) this is referred to as "high tea", however in the UK high tea is an evening meal. The term evidently comes from the meal being eaten at the "high" (main) table, rather than the smaller table common in living rooms.
Devonshire tea is the staple "tea ceremony" of the English speaking Commonwealth countries, available in homes and Tea shops throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, India and New Zealand. Devonshire tea is almost unknown in the USA.
Afternoon Tea
In Britain, the North American (in)formal gathering described above is called Afternoon Tea (or just tea) and generally would take place some time between 2.30 and 4.30 pm.
High Tea
High Tea, is a term used mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland to describe an early evening meal, typically around 7.00 pm. Although, it does not necessarily include tea, it has the following formal structure:
* Main course This is usually either a light fish or meat course.
* Tea and cakes
The cakes may either be full sized and cut into slices, or smaller individual cakes, or muffins, toast or other savoury breads.
In a family, it tends to be less formal and often it is essentially either a regularized snack, usually featuring sandwiches, cookies, pastry, fruit, and the like (in Spain, this is called a merienda), or else it is supper.
The term "High Tea" comes from the meal being eaten at the "high" (main) table, rather than the smaller table common in living rooms.
On farms in the United Kingdom, high tea is the traditional and very substantial meal enjoyed by the workers immediately after dark, and combines afternoon tea with the main evening meal.
Tea
By contrast, Tea is the afternoon meal, called that even if the diners are drinking beer, cider, or juice. It traditionally takes place at sometime around 6pm (though these days, it often takes place as late as 9pm).
Devonshire Tea
A Devonshire Tea or Cream tea is tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream, and jams. Outside England, it promoted as a typically English and perhaps rather middle class meal, sometimes also referred to as High tea. This is offered for sale in tea rooms wherever English culture is present, or wherever someone wants to give an impression of it. Within England it is a straightforward regional speciality, marketed to holidaymakers but widely eaten locally.
Other items served at Devonshire Tea may include cucumber or watercress sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and various small cakes and mousses. Purists regard these items as excrescences, and eschew them.
The name of this tea comes from the county of Devon in England, where it is a local speciality. Some refuse to call it "Devonshire tea" because they dispute that this type of tea is original to Devon. It is indeed served all over South West England, and in England is known just as a cream tea.
Tea
In Britain and Ireland, "tea" is not only the name of the beverage, but of a late afternoon light meal, called that even if the diners are drinking beer, cider, or juice. Frequently (outside the UK) this is referred to as "high tea", however in the UK high tea is an evening meal. The term evidently comes from the meal being eaten at the "high" (main) table, rather than the smaller table common in living rooms.
Devonshire tea is the staple "tea ceremony" of the English speaking Commonwealth countries, available in homes and Tea shops throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, India and New Zealand. Devonshire tea is almost unknown in the USA.
Afternoon Tea
In Britain, the North American (in)formal gathering described above is called Afternoon Tea (or just tea) and generally would take place some time between 2.30 and 4.30 pm.
High Tea
High Tea, is a term used mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland to describe an early evening meal, typically around 7.00 pm. Although, it does not necessarily include tea, it has the following formal structure:
* Main course This is usually either a light fish or meat course.
* Tea and cakes
The cakes may either be full sized and cut into slices, or smaller individual cakes, or muffins, toast or other savoury breads.
In a family, it tends to be less formal and often it is essentially either a regularized snack, usually featuring sandwiches, cookies, pastry, fruit, and the like (in Spain, this is called a merienda), or else it is supper.
The term "High Tea" comes from the meal being eaten at the "high" (main) table, rather than the smaller table common in living rooms.
On farms in the United Kingdom, high tea is the traditional and very substantial meal enjoyed by the workers immediately after dark, and combines afternoon tea with the main evening meal.
Tea
By contrast, Tea is the afternoon meal, called that even if the diners are drinking beer, cider, or juice. It traditionally takes place at sometime around 6pm (though these days, it often takes place as late as 9pm).
Devonshire Tea
A Devonshire Tea or Cream tea is tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream, and jams. Outside England, it promoted as a typically English and perhaps rather middle class meal, sometimes also referred to as High tea. This is offered for sale in tea rooms wherever English culture is present, or wherever someone wants to give an impression of it. Within England it is a straightforward regional speciality, marketed to holidaymakers but widely eaten locally.
Other items served at Devonshire Tea may include cucumber or watercress sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and various small cakes and mousses. Purists regard these items as excrescences, and eschew them.
The name of this tea comes from the county of Devon in England, where it is a local speciality. Some refuse to call it "Devonshire tea" because they dispute that this type of tea is original to Devon. It is indeed served all over South West England, and in England is known just as a cream tea.
rofl at this thread...
